The Bulls should go all in for Zion

[ghostinthepost1]

On the Zach Lowe Show yesterday they talked about the idea of the Bulls acquiring Zion this off season and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.

If the price is right, I think it's the best possible move they can make right now. The worst case scenario is we trade for him, he continues to stay hurt, the Bulls bottom out and get a few high draft picks to start a rebuild. Best case scenario he stays healthy and in shape and we've got a all-nba #1 option.

If the cost is Coby, Collins, and the #11/#12 pick this year there is very little downside considering we might lose Coby for nothing next year.

Zion discussion starts at 24:42

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[drosestruts]

Didn't see your post and just made one about their recent episode.

Honestly - why not. I think picks are overrated, you make picks hoping they'll be a talented player. Conversley, just use them for someome you know is guranteed good.

If we don't magically get a top-2 pick in this draft, I'd be very open to the idea of Zion. Even if we got pick 3 or 4, I'd be calling New Orleans.

[sco]

I would happily include Coby in the deal for Zion as I think getting another high utilization scorer would likely have a similar impact to adding Zach back to the roster. There won't be enough shots to go around. Coby does the least without shooting of our 3 core guys. Also, we'd benefit by inserting a guy like Ball into the starting lineup (or Jones if we keep him or even Huerter). It would be an ideal "sell high" move on Coby. That said, I'm not sure NO has a need for a guy like Coby with their guard line-up. Alternatively we could try to turn Coby into picks to throw into the deal. PWill might be the sort of reclaimation project that could be a positive asset in the deal. Coby/PWill/Filler/Por 1st would be a great deal, but probably need to add another 1st.

Another guy I'd covet from NO if they would consider it would be Herb Jones. He is an elite defender, although like many of those guys, he has durability questions (which might make him obtainable).

[DuckIII]

If the cost is Coby, Collins, and the #11/#12 pick this year there is very little downside considering we might lose Coby for nothing next year.

Even at Zion’s lowered value it’s kinda hard to believe that would do it. But given our FO and obvious unwillingness to utilize patience the draft, this is the type of wild swing you take. Not the crap for guys like Vuc who are paper tigers.

If Zion is healthy and playing he’s elite. Might blow up spectacularly but it’s a move towards contention rather than merely not sucking.

[Jcool0]

If the cost is Coby, Collins, and the #11/#12 pick this year there is very little downside considering we might lose Coby for nothing next year.

Even at Zion’s lowered value it’s kinda hard to believe that would do it. But given our FO and obvious unwillingness to utilize patience the draft, this is the type of wild swing you take. Not the crap for guys like Vuc who are paper tigers.

If Zion is healthy and playing he’s elite. Might blow up spectacularly but it’s a move towards contention rather than merely not sucking.

3 years at 40+M when he might play less then 60 games is going to lower what they can get from him.

[GoBlue72391]

I'm down for taking a gamble like that. High risk, high reward. There's obviously a lot of red flags, but his talent is undeniable.

[dougthonus]

If the cost is Coby, Collins, and the #11/#12 pick this year there is very little downside considering we might lose Coby for nothing next year.

Even at Zion’s lowered value it’s kinda hard to believe that would do it. But given our FO and obvious unwillingness to utilize patience the draft, this is the type of wild swing you take. Not the crap for guys like Vuc who are paper tigers.

If Zion is healthy and playing he’s elite. Might blow up spectacularly but it’s a move towards contention rather than merely not sucking.

3 years at 40+M when he might play less then 60 games is going to lower what they can get from him.

His contract is effectively fully non guaranteed, so the money doesn't matter if you ever just stop believing in him. I agree the injuries will lower what they can get, but the contract is so team friendly that I think it puts a floor on how low it will go. If he like tears an achilles this year or something and you know he is toast, you can just get out of the rest of the deal.

I would tend to think it would cost more than Coby, our pick and matching salary, but who knows. I'd guess the Pels are ready to move on, but the price will be set at the most desperate team and I'd guess someone is more desperate than Coby and a late lotto pick.

[sco]

I would happily include Coby in the deal for Zion as I think getting another high utilization scorer would likely have a similar impact to adding Zach back to the roster. There won't be enough shots to go around. Coby does the least without shooting of our 3 core guys. Also, we'd benefit by inserting a guy like Ball into the starting lineup (or Jones if we keep him or even Huerter). It would be an ideal "sell high" move on Coby. That said, I'm not sure NO has a need for a guy like Coby with their guard line-up. Alternatively we could try to turn Coby into picks to throw into the deal. PWill might be the sort of reclaimation project that could be a positive asset in the deal. Coby/PWill/Filler/Por 1st would be a great deal, but probably need to add another 1st.

Another guy I'd covet from NO if they would consider it would be Herb Jones. He is an elite defender, although like many of those guys, he has durability questions (which might make him obtainable).

How about this deal for above:

Draft night deal of our Pick, our '26 Pick, Por 1st, Coby, PWill, Vuc for Zion/Herb? $ work according to ESPN.

The only "big" give is our '26 pick (and Coby, but per my prior note, his value is much lower to us if we have Zion). Jones and Ball provide our POA defense. I would be happy to roll with Collins/Smith with that line-up.

[pipfan]

White/#12/Vuc (not Collins-need the D) and Port pick (if necessary). Would be incredible if they wanted PWill but I highly doubt it
Giddey/Ayo/JCarter
Huerter/Ball
Matas/Phillips/Terry
Zion/PWill
Collins/Smith
TONS of 2026 options-with only Giddey, Zion, Matas, Smith of these guys under contract plus all our picks

NO goes with Murray/White/CJ in backcourt, Murphy/Jones at the forwards and Missi/Vuc up front
Their top 5 pick, #12, Hawkins, Alvarado deep bench. Put Flagg in their and it gets very interesting

[MisterRoy]

Everything else being done isn’t working. They need to change it up. This would be doing that. Sign me up.

[Jcool0]

Even at Zion’s lowered value it’s kinda hard to believe that would do it. But given our FO and obvious unwillingness to utilize patience the draft, this is the type of wild swing you take. Not the crap for guys like Vuc who are paper tigers.

If Zion is healthy and playing he’s elite. Might blow up spectacularly but it’s a move towards contention rather than merely not sucking.

3 years at 40+M when he might play less then 60 games is going to lower what they can get from him.

His contract is effectively fully non guaranteed, so the money doesn't matter if you ever just stop believing in him. I agree the injuries will lower what they can get, but the contract is so team friendly that I think it puts a floor on how low it will go. If he like tears an achilles this year or something and you know he is toast, you can just get out of the rest of the deal.

I would tend to think it would cost more than Coby, our pick and matching salary, but who knows. I'd guess the Pels are ready to move on, but the price will be set at the most desperate team and I'd guess someone is more desperate than Coby and a late lotto pick.

It's only non guaranteed if he doesn't play at lest 51 games next season and 41 the years after.

[jnrjr79]

3 years at 40+M when he might play less then 60 games is going to lower what they can get from him.

His contract is effectively fully non guaranteed, so the money doesn't matter if you ever just stop believing in him. I agree the injuries will lower what they can get, but the contract is so team friendly that I think it puts a floor on how low it will go. If he like tears an achilles this year or something and you know he is toast, you can just get out of the rest of the deal.

I would tend to think it would cost more than Coby, our pick and matching salary, but who knows. I'd guess the Pels are ready to move on, but the price will be set at the most desperate team and I'd guess someone is more desperate than Coby and a late lotto pick.

It's only non guaranteed if he doesn't play at lest 51 games next season and 41 the years after.

That seems like adequate protection against injury to me. If he’s playing more games than that, you’d want to keep him anyway. The only big downside is you’d be stuck with him for an additional year if he had a healthy-ish season but sustained a serious injury at the end of it after surpassing the games-played threshold.

[CROBulls]

Getting Zion is pipe dream. This front office has zero balls to go after guy like that. They waiting for Sabonis to be available for 1st unprotected and few swaps to replace Vuc. You need to continue doing maintaining status quo.

[burlydee]

On the Zach Lowe Show yesterday they talked about the idea of the Bulls acquiring Zion this off season and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.

If the price is right, I think it's the best possible move they can make right now. The worst case scenario is we trade for him, he continues to stay hurt, the Bulls bottom out and get a few high draft picks to start a rebuild. Best case scenario he stays healthy and in shape and we've got a all-nba #1 option.

If the cost is Coby, Collins, and the #11/#12 pick this year there is very little downside considering we might lose Coby for nothing next year.

Zion discussion starts at 24:42

Watch on YouTube

That too high a price. Why should we pay that? Coby had been more productive than Zion the last two years bc ... he plays! And cares about playing! Matas was pick 11. Who would you rather have Matas or Zion?

I'm intrigued by Zion, but only in a salary dump.

Vuc, P Will, Ayo. Or PWil, Ayo and Huerter.

I'm not giving 2 of the 4 Bulls best assets to acquire a guy who plays 30 times a year and doesn't care.

[Chi town]

Could Zion play in our high pace offense without dying?

I buy he will def produce and play much more when he gets to a landing spot he wants. NY LA CHI or a contending team.

What I don’t buy is him buying into our pace and staying healthy. He would have to be in elite shape and conditioning. If he was though… he’d be lights out. Him and Giddey would be crazy together. Add shooters and a rim protector and we’d be in business.

[TheSuzerain]

lol who cares about 'our pace' as if it's some valuable thing.

It's just smoke and mirrors so they can pretend they're making progress.

[prolific passer]

Be easy to move on from Vuc and Coby as you have Collins, Smith, Ayo, and Huerter to step in and take their spots. Thing is Zion plays hard when he wants to and is near unstoppable. Don't know if Billy is the right coach for him to reach his potential.

[RSP83]

Be easy to move on from Vuc and Coby as you have Collins, Smith, Ayo, and Huerter to step in and take their spots. Thing is Zion plays hard when he wants to and is near unstoppable. Don't know if Billy is the right coach for him to reach his potential.

I actually think Billy is the perfect coach for Zion.

[PJSteven22]

On the Zach Lowe Show yesterday they talked about the idea of the Bulls acquiring Zion this off season and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.

If the price is right, I think it's the best possible move they can make right now. The worst case scenario is we trade for him, he continues to stay hurt, the Bulls bottom out and get a few high draft picks to start a rebuild. Best case scenario he stays healthy and in shape and we've got a all-nba #1 option.

If the cost is Coby, Collins, and the #11/#12 pick this year there is very little downside considering we might lose Coby for nothing next year.

Zion discussion starts at 24:42

Watch on YouTube

Personally I wouldn’t do it for Coby unless you can find a perimeter shot creator.

[eierluke]

The deal would just make sense if the Bulls team is good enough to make the playoffs on their own, while packing Zion in cotton wool (playing him 20 min per game until the all star game, increasing it to 28 from there on and hope that then he'll be the difference maker in limited playing time.

Trading for him and wearing his brittle body down during the regular season by playing him 30+ minutes would not make sense.
I'd rule out that after so many setbacks he'll be able/willing to learn how to protect his body (changing nutrition or warm up routine, ...) on his own